Tax Examiner Lead - Pass Through Unit

Our services impact EVERY Montanan!

MISSION STATEMENT 

To be the nation's most citizen oriented, efficiently administered, state tax agency.             

The Montana Department of Revenue administers almost 40 state taxes, property appraisals, alcoholic beverage laws, cannabis laws and unclaimed property for the state of Montana. The Business and Income Taxes Division (BIT) manages a variety of Montana tax types that include business, individual, and natural resources. BIT is comprised of five bureaus including Analytics and Planning, Corporate and Passthrough Taxes, Individual Income Tax Compliance and Audit, Withholding and Individual Income Taxes, and Natural Resource and Business Taxes and Fees. BIT staff perform audits, verify compliance with Montana laws for all taxes administered by the division, and issue appraisals and assessments of centrally assessed property.

What We Can Offer You

The State of Montana's comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Health, dental, and vision care; life insurance; and long-term disability. The State currently contributes $12,648/year toward these benefits.

• Free health care for employees and eligible family member at Montana Health Centers.

• Employee Assistance Benefits include counseling, legal assistance, well-being coaching, financial information, which are free resources.

• Retirement plans- The State currently contributes 9.17%, vested after 5 years of continuous employment.

• Paid vacation- starting at 15 days a year.

• Sick leave- 12 days a year.

• 11 holidays, including a floating holiday, which can be used any time.

• Flexible hours.

• Eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

Visit the Health Care and Benefits Division for more information at https\://benefits.mt.gov/. In addition to employee benefits, there are a wide range of advancement opportunities throughout the Department of Revenue.

DUTIES

Job Overview:

This position resides in the Business & Income Taxes Division of Department of Revenue. BIT’s tax examiner III’s perform a variety of duties assigned by management. Duties include overseeing audit activities to ensure the overall quality, efficiency, consistency, and cost-effectiveness of work procedures and results. A tax examiner III conducts complex analysis of diverse tax situations and entities; gathers and reviews relevant data to develop benchmarks and audit models; assists in defining audit assignments; and investigates potential fraud situations. The position is the department’s chief technical expert in the assigned tax type(s). Tax examiner III’s frequently provide technical support to ongoing division operations; assist staff with audit activities, including explaining audit outcomes; aid with dispute resolution; and participate in appeal hearings. The position does not supervise other staff but is tasked with various leadership responsibilities.

Knowledge of:

• Tax accounting

• General and Montana Department of Revenue specific auditing standards, principles, and practices

• Financial analysis

• Investigative methods and procedures

• State and federal tax laws, rules, and regulations

• Business practices

• Standard and specialized computer applications

• State of Montana policies and procedures

Skills in:

• Research and analysis

• Cost benefit analysis

• Accuracy and attention to detail

• Mathematics

• Conflict resolution & customer service

• Microsoft programs and other database applications

• Written, verbal, and interpersonal communication

You would be a great fit for this position if you:

• Self-motivated

• Strong work ethic

• Follow instructions

• Provide timely and accurate customer service

• Work under pressure

• Be open-minded and think creatively

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS

Please submit the following application material:

• Resume

• Complete state application

Submissions incomplete or missing relevant materials will not be reviewed or considered.

Applicant Pool Statement\: If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection.

To be considered for any DOR position, applicants must complete and submit their application online and upload any required documents. Successful applicants are required to successfully pass DOR tax and background check(s). DOR is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

***This is an incomplete list of job duties. For a complete job description please contact Human Resources. (dorhr@mt.gov or 406-444-9858)

(All computer systems and tax guidelines will be trained on the job.)

Special Requirements

Eligibility for employment will be subject to the following:

• Criminal Background Check. Circumstances involving convictions will be reviewed

• Tax status must be current. Circumstances involving tax status issues will be reviewed

REMOTE/TELEWORK: This position may be eligible to work from an approved worksite; however, the successful candidate must be a primary resident of Montana as a condition of employment. This position would be required to report to the Department of Revenue office assigned by the supervisor. Employees must meet and sustain Department of Revenue telework eligibility requirements and supervisor's approval to participate in the DOR Telework Program. Full-time teleworking is not available.

Training Assignment: This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules. Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.

Effective May 26, 2026, this agency is participating in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing Form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification. For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here, https\://www.e-verify.gov/ .

Eligibility to Work\: In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the person selected must produce within three days of hire documents that show authorization to work in the United States. Examples of such documentation include a birth certificate or Social Security card along with a driver’s license or other picture I.D., or a U.S. passport, or a "green card".  The State of Montana does not sponsor.

Successful applicants are required to successfully pass DOR tax and background check(s).

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

The minimum level needed on the first day of work is

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, business administration, or public administration supplemented by college coursework in accounting or closely related field.

• Four years of progressively responsible experience with complicated tax matters.

• Preferred work experience should include auditing, tax examining or closely related field.  

• Other combinations of education and experience are evaluated on an individual basis.